Indoor Seed Starting: The Best Crops To Start In February

As a child, I always wondered why my mom would plant sow seeds in these trays and not directly in the garden outside. The concept of seed starting was always a little strange to me until I grew up and understood what it was all about.

In this article, I’ll try to make the concept as simple for you as possible and give you a few of the best crops to start in February. Let’s get right into it!

What Is Indoor Seed Starting and Why Do It in February?

As the term suggests, indoor seed starting means starting plant seeds indoors typically in a seed tray or pot. A major reason why many gardeners practice indoor seed starting is because it gives plants a head start and allows for an early harvest.

Gardeners prefer to start plants that need a longer growing season indoors in February so that they can have a head start and not take as long to get to the harvesting stage.

Zone 1-3: Hardy Crops To Prepare For Spring:

Broccoli: Broccoli is a fantastic vegetable to start indoors in the midst of winter. Starting seeds in February will allow you to transplant decently sized broccoli seedlings outdoors around late April.
Cabbage: Cabbage is known to thrive in low-temperature conditions and frost, but it needs to establish itself first. By starting cabbage seeds indoors, you can transplant cabbage seedlings in your garden later on and allow them to develop properly throughout the cold season.
Leeks: Start leeks indoors in mid to late February so that the seedlings are ready to transplant 6-8 weeks later. This popular member of the onion family performs really well in cold conditions.

Zone 4-5: Cool Season Favorites To Get Growing

Spinach: This earthy, leafy green can be established early if planted in the month of February. It’s known to thrive in lower temperatures and needs to be harvested in spring before warmth sets in.
Lettuce: Start lettuce seeds indoors in early to mid-February if you’re looking to give it a head start and have an early-season harvest.
Kale: Kale is another leafy green that loves cooler conditions and frost. Starting it indoors allows the seedlings to grow strong and resilient before they’re transplanted outdoors to produce flavorful leaves for a late spring harvest.

Zone 6-7: Preparing For Early Harvests

Tomatoes: Tomatoes prefer slightly moderate to chilly temperatures for optimal growth. Start tomato seeds indoors in February to give them an 8-10 week head start before transplanting seedlings outdoors for further growth.
Peppers: Peppers are quite versatile vegetables and they would most definitely benefit from an early start in February. Transplant seedlings outdoors in mid to late May and allow them to grow throughout the warm transition period.
Eggplant: February in zones 6-7 is a great time to start eggplant. Start seeds in a seed tray to give the vibrant vegetable a head start and transplant into your garden in early to mid-June for the best results.

Zone 8-9: Versatile Crops For A Productive Spring

Squash: Although I’m not the biggest fan of squash, I see why many people may want to give this colorful, large fruit a head start. Start squash seeds indoors to give them a 6-8 week head start in early to mid-February, ensuring a late June harvest as conditions warm up.
Cucumbers: Sow cucumber seeds indoors in mid to late February if you’re after a late spring harvest. Cucumbers are relatively quick to grow and will do much better as the warmth sets in over time.
Parsley: Parsley is guaranteed to get you a productive spring harvest. It’s a versatile herb that will benefit from a head start and early to mid-February planting since it takes a long time to establish and grow to its fullest.

Zone 10: Year-Round Crops For Continuous Harvest

Okra: Starting Okra seeds early in February is a good idea. It takes a good 8-12 weeks to reach the harvesting stage and performs best in mild to slightly warm conditions. The good thing about okra is that once the plant starts producing, you can harvest okra continuously to encourage new growth.
Peppermint: Start peppermint seeds indoors in late February and transplant seedlings outside in mid to late March for an early harvest. If you want, you can skip the hassle and sow peppermint seeds directly outdoors as well since weather conditions are likely to be milder in zone 10 February.
Sage: Like okra, sage leaves can be continuously harvested throughout the growing season, and it’s a versatile, year-round herb that although doesn’t need a head start but can still benefit from it in one way or another.

Essential Tips For Successful Indoor Seed Starting

Starting seeds indoors doesn’t mean they’ll take care of themselves. You still need to keep the soil moist to encourage germination and look after the delicate seedlings.
Provide your growing seedlings with plenty of indirect light throughout the day to ensure strong and healthy leaves.
Don’t make the mistake of rushing the transplant when outside conditions are clearly not favorable. It can cost you your plant’s precious life.